WASHINGTON--Whoever replaces former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) takes office at a time when proposals to curb gun violence are expected to land in Congress. Democrat Robin Kelly's campaign on Tuesday released a web video that ties together the national gun massacres with the ongoing gun violence in Chicago, violence that touches lives in the Second Congressional District.

The filing period with the Illinois Board of Elections closed Tuesday and the field is big: 17 Democrats and 5 Republicans. The district is so heavily Democratic that the winner of the Feb. 26 primary has little to worry about in the general. Early voting starts Feb. 11, so the campaign time is short.